Lurking silently beneath the ocean’s surface is one of nature’s most terrifying creatures — a powerful predator that can rip its prey apart in a matter of seconds. Now you can experience actual shark attacks and rescues captured on film. Learn why these attacks are increasing at an alarming rate, and see the awe-inspiring lengths sharks will go to when they’re on the hunt.

Swim with this misunderstood marvel in the world’s most beautiful places, and discover the shark’s secrets as we peer into its home in the deep, dark sea. Go shark hunting with the man whose legendary adventures may have inspired the infamous character Quint from Jaws. Explore the science, myths, and mystery of this fearsome predator in 14 favorite Discovery Channel programs from Shark Week — the series that has been exciting and intriguing fans for 20 years.

This four-disc set contains the following episodes: “Air Jaws: Sharks of South Africa” (2000); “Air Jaws II: Even Higher” (2002); “Anatomy of a Shark Bite” (2003); “Shark Attack Survivors” (2006); “Shark Rebellion” (2006); “Shark Attack Rescuers” (2002); “Prehistoric Sharks” (1998); “Future Shark” (2000); “Bull Shark: World’s Deadliest Shark” (2004); “Jaws of the Pacific” (2003); “Sharks in a Desert Sea” (1999); “American Shark” (2005); “Shark Hunter: Chasing the Great White” (2005); and “Shark Bite! Surviving Great Whites” (2005). (Barnes & Noble)

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I pre-ordered this dvd and the day it arrived I popped it in the player. The packaging is very nice with cool 3D Jaws pic on the front. 4 discs: 1 and 3 have 3 shows, 2 and 4 have 4 shows each. With the exception of Anatomy of a Bite (90min), most avg around 45 minutes. The shows range from Shark Bite Survivors to Air Jaws & Air Jaws II.

They seem to dwell quite a bit on the Great White, so footage of the leaping sharks in So. Africa can get a bit repetitive. Also Erich Ricter, the scientist whose bite from a bull shark was highlighted in Anatomy of a Bite, makes quite a few appearances throughout the episodes. You’d think that after 20 years of Shark Week, Discovery would include 14 very different episodes in this compilation.

I’m a huge Shark Week fan and never miss a year so that’s why this dvd was a MUST-OWN, but I do wish it had maybe 6 more episodes and they could have focused on other sharks like the Mako or Tiger vs. focusing quite a bit on the Great White and Bull Shark.. If you like owning Nature DVDs, and perhaps aren’t going to record this year’s Shark Week episodes, this is a good deal. Just be prepared to watch the majority of the time about Whale, Bull, and Great White Sharks. (Amazon)